ullback Vickers takes on role as receiver in loss to Panthers

The Texans’ second-leading receiver in the 28-13 loss to Carolina was fullback Lawrence Vickers.

Vickers had four catches for 29 yards. His longest reception was for 17 yards and a touchdown when he flattened safety Jordan Pugh.

Like his teammates in a quiet postgame locker room, Vickers was disappointed in the 15-point loss to the Panthers, who broke the Texans’ seven-game winning streak and increased their record to 5-9.

“You can’t take anybody for granted in this league because everybody’s capable of winning,” Vickers said. “We didn’t play up to our potential, and they did. I’ll have to take my hat off to them.”

The Texans ran for 150 yards and averaged 6 yards a carry. Vickers, 6-0, 250, helped open some holes for Arian Foster who just for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Vickers, 28, is playing in his first season with the Texans after spending his first five with Cleveland. He’ll be playing in the playoffs for the first time in his six-year career.

After the game, some Texans commented on the fans booing them one week after they cheered them wildly because of their 20-19 victory at Cincinnati.

“They’re the fans, and they’re entitled to feel how they want to feel,” Vickers said. “They pay to watch us win, not to lose. They came to watch a show, and we didn’t give them the kind of show they came for. They support us through good and bad. I’m not upset with them.”